After a long and exciting 82-game regular season, the race to the Stanley Cup is officially on as the NHL postseason begins today, April 20.
The slate is blank and the 16 remaining teams (of 32) are just 16 wins away from winning one of the most iconic trophies in any major league sport.
This year’s playoff field includes current reigning champions, the Vegas Golden Knights, the 2024 regular season champs, the New York Rangers, and perhaps the biggest surprise out of the west, the Vancouver Canucks.
All of the games of the 2024 NHL Playoffs will air on national channels, with streaming options available like Max and DirecTV Stream.
What Channels Will the 2024 NHL Playoffs Be On?
Round one of the 2024 NHL Playoffs will air on both regional sports networks (unique to each team’s local market) and national networks.
While the regional networks differ by market, half of the first-and-second-round games will air on TNT or TBS, while the other half will air on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC nationwide.
How to Stream the 2024 NHL Playoffs:
ESPN:
If you don’t have cable, the only way to stream the 2024 NHL Playoff games on ESPN is with a live TV streaming service. The following services include ESPN:
- DirecTV Stream – any plan, starting at $94.98/month with $10 off the first three months
- Sling TV – Orange plan, $40/month with half off the first month
- Hulu + Live TV – base plan, $76.99/month
- fuboTV – any plan, starting at $79.99/month
Normally, you could stream NHL games that air on ESPN with the ESPN+ streaming service, however, it’s important to note that ESPN+ will only stream ESPN and ABC games live during the conference finals (third round) and Stanley Cup Finals.
TNT/TBS:
The easiest, most cost-effective way to stream TNT or TBS games during the 2024 NHL Playoffs without cable is with a Max subscription. Max starts at $9.99/month, and all three plans currently come with the Bleacher Report Sports add-on, which you’ll need to watch these games live
You can also get all of the necessary networks for these games on the following live TV streaming services: Sling TV (either base plan – no truTV), DirecTV Stream, and Hulu + Live TV.
Live TV Streaming Services:
Can I Watch the 2024 NHL Playoffs for Free?
While there’s no way to stream for free the entire length of the playoffs, you can get a five0day free trial of DirecTV Stream (which also includes regional sports networks!) and a seven-day free trial of fuboTV.
Playoff Bracket: What Teams Are In the 2024 NHL Playoffs?
Western Conference: Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, Nashville Predators, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings
Eastern Conference: Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders
2024 NHL Playoffs Key Dates:
- Playoffs Start: Saturday, April 21
- Start of the Stanley Cup Finals: Wednesday, June 3 (tentative
- End of the Stanley Cup Finals: no later than June 17
2024 NHL Playoffs Round One Schedule:
Eastern Conference:
Florida Panthers (1A) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (WC1)
- Game 1: April 21, 12:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 2: April 23, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
- Game 3: April 25, 7 p.m. ET (TBS, MAX)
- Game 4: April 27, 5 p.m. ET (TBS, truTV, MAX)
- Game 5: April 29, TBD
- Game 6: May 1, TBD
- Game 7: May 4, TBD
Boston Bruins (2A) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (3A)
- Game 1: April 20, 8 p.m. ET (TBS, truTV, MAX)
- Game 2: April 22, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 3: April 24, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 4: April 27, 8 p.m. ET (TBS, truTV, MAX)
- Game 5: April 30, TBD
- Game 6: May 2, TBD
- Game 7: May 4, TBD
New York Rangers (1M) vs. Washington Capitals (WC2)
- Game 1: April 21, 3 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 2: April 23, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 3: April 26, 7 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, MAX)
- Game 4: April 28, 8 p.m. ET (TBS, truTV, MAX)
- Game 5: May 1, TBD
- Game 6: May 3, TBD
- Game 7: May 5, TBD
Carolina Hurricanes (2M) vs. New York Islanders (3M)
- Game 1: April 20, 5 p.m. ET (TBS, truTV, MAX)
- Game 2: Islanders at Hurricanes — April 22, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
- Game 3: Hurricanes at Islanders — April 25, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
- Game 4: Hurricanes at Islanders — April 27, 2 p.m. ET (TBS, truTV, MAX)
- Game 5: Islanders at Hurricanes — April 30, TBD
- Game 6: Hurricanes at Islanders — May 2, TBD
- Game 7: Islanders at Hurricanes — May 4, TBD
Western Conference:
Dallas Stars (1C) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (WC2)
- Game 1: April 22, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 2: April 24, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 3: April 27, 10:30 p.m. ET (TBS, truTV, MAX)
- Game 4: April 29, TBD
- Game 5: May 1, TBD
- Game 6: May 3, TBD
- Game 7: May 5, TBD
Winnipeg Jets (2C) vs. Colorado Avalanche (3C)
- Game 1: April 21, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
- Game 2: April 23, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 3: April 26, 10 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, MAX)
- Game 4: April 28, 2:30 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, MAX)
- Game 5: April 30, TBD
- Game 6: May 2, TBD
- Game 7: May 4, TBD
Vancouver Canucks (1P) vs. Nashville Predators (WC1)
- Game 1: April 21, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 2: April 23, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
- Game 3: April 26, 7:30 p.m. ET (TBS, MAX)
- Game 4: April 28, 5 p.m. ET (TBS, truTV, MAX)
- Game 5: April 30, TBD
- Game 6: May 3, TBD
- Game 7: May 5, TBD
Edmonton Oilers (2P) vs. Los Angeles Kings (3P)
- Game 1: April 22, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
- Game 2: April 24, 10 p.m. ET (TBS, MAX)
- Game 3: April 26, 10:30 p.m. ET (TBS, MAX)
- Game 4: April 28, 10:30 p.m. ET (TBS, truTV, MAX)
- Game 5: May 1, TBD
- Game 6: May 3, TBD
- Game 7: May 5, TBD
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